“I was really indecisive about trying out,” said junior finalist Lana Stanczak, “but I just went for it because I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t.” Stanczak said the experience made her much less shy about singing in front of people. Hurwitz says that “Future Stars” is an excellent way for students to step out of their comfort zones. “I want a football player who sings in the locker room; we want rappers; we want hip hop dancers,” she said.The final performance packed the 1,700-seat auditorium full of people, with every seat sold. It also included a serenade by all the directors to Susan Hurwitz for her years of commitment and time given to Pioneer Theatre Guild as she plans to retire.The winner of the show is chosen by an applause reader at the back of the auditorium. When the time came to vote, and the audience clapped and screamed for the person they wanted to win, the sound reader could not quite pick up on every last decimal place. A tie was called between “Unsteady” and “Love On the Brain,” which shocked all 1,700 people sitting in the audience, but most agreed it was a well-earned tie. ​